The Kawempe Chief Magistrates Court has declined to grant mandatory bail to 10 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), ruling that spending more than 60 days on remand does not automatically entitle an accused person to release.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Damalie Agumaasiimwe acknowledged that the suspects had exceeded the constitutional 60-day threshold for mandatory bail. However, she held that courts must also take into account public interest, security considerations, and the protection of witnesses before granting bail.
The suspects, who are currently detained at Luzira Prison, face charges of unlawful drilling, conspiracy to commit a felony, and related offences.
Prosecution alleges that the accused organised a military-style parade on February 12, 2024, to mark the birthday of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine). The group includes senior party security and leadership figures, among them Edward Ssebufu (alias Eddie Mutwe), Calvin Tasi (alias Bobi Giant), Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, and Doreen Kaija, the principal of the NUP School of Leadership.
Defence lawyers, led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, argued that Article 23(6)(b) of the Constitution mandates the release of suspects who remain on remand for more than 60 days without trial.
However, state prosecutors Sharon Nambuya and Bruce Twongirwe opposed the application, contending that mandatory bail is not automatic and urging the court to prioritise public safety and the risk of interference with witnesses.
In rejecting the application, Magistrate Agumaasiimwe ruled that the risk of witness interference remains high. She added that although the accused presented credible and traceable sureties, these were insufficient to outweigh prevailing security concerns.
In a related development, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mbarara City has also declined to grant bail to 36 of the 38 NUP supporters arrested on November 7, 2025, when security operatives intercepted Bobi Wine and his supporters en route to Bwizibwera in Mbarara District for a rally.
In a separate ruling, Grade One Magistrate Alex Baguma held that the accused—who had been on remand for more than a month—failed to meet bail requirements after failing to present valid identification documents.
Meanwhile, two co-accused, who had been nominated as NUP candidates in Rwampara District, were released under circumstances that remain unclear after reportedly renouncing the opposition party and pledging allegiance to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The remaining suspects will continue to be held in custody as court proceedings continue.
